Last November Smith pleaded guilty to four historical sexual assault charges: two counts of indecent assault on a female, and two counts of attempted carnal knowledge.

The offences date back to between 1969 and early 1971 in South Lismore, when the victim was just 13-years-old.
In sentencing Smith, Judge Jeffrey noted he had made full admissions to police and pleaded guilty at the earliest possible opportunity.

He said there was "no suggestion" of any similar conduct since the offences took place 46 years ago.

He noted the Smith had the support of his wife and her eldest daughter throughout the court proceedings.

He described Smith as "physically frail", with medical issues including chronic kidney disease, arthritis, diabetes, lymphatic leukaemia, and various eye diseases.

However Judge Jeffrey he must "recognise the harm done to the victim and the community" in punishing Smith.
The court heard that the victim had been "significantly affected" by the abuse, suffering anxiety and depression, and undergone counselling throughout her life.

It wasn't until April 2015 that she summoned the courage to finally report the matter to police.

Judge Jeffrey also classed one of the offences as "toward the top end" of seriousness.

On that occasion, the offence was "planned" and involved an attempted rape of the victim which was only avoided because she kicked and screamed until he gave up.

The victim wept tears of relief as the jail sentence was handed down and hugged her supporters.

Smith was allowed a brief opportunity to talk to his lawyer before he was taken away.

FRIDAY 6am: SHE has waited 46 years for justice but now the victim of child sexual abuse by a Lismore man must wait no longer.

Winton Leslie Smith, 80, will be sentenced today at 1pm in the Lismore District Court after a protracted sentencing procedure which began on Wednesday morning.

Last year the retired bricklayer pleaded guilty to two counts of indecently assaulting a female under 16, and two counts of attempted carnal knowledge of a girl between 10 and 16, which happened between 1969 and early 1971.

His victim wept throughout yesterday's proceedings, which ended anti-climatically when District Court Judge Clive Jeffrey declared he would wait a day before delivering his final sentence.

But Crown Prosecutor Ben Cochrane cautioned Judge Jeffrey to "not lose sight of the serious nature of the offences" in light of Smith's old age and health.

He warned it was "dangerous" to rely on some of the existing precedents because they weren't specific enough about crucial details like the victim's age and the nature of the acts committed by the perpetrator.

He argued Smith medical problems "were not terribly unusual" and appropriate medical care could be provided in jail.

Mr Cochrane also submitted that the historical nature of the crimes should not justify a more lenient sentence.

Smith was in his early 30s when he sexually abused his victim, who was known to him, while she was just 13.

The offences happened on two separate occasions over at least a two year period.

Smith remains on bail, and was supported by his wife and one of his daughters in the courtroom.

As he left, he muttered: "This is only dividing the family even bloody more".